Apple iPhone Shipments Surge 31% in Latin America in Q1 2026

Apple delivered 1.8 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2026, a rise of 400 thousand units year-over-year and a 31 % growth rate, the strongest among the region’s top five vendors. The jump reflects strong demand for the iPhone 17 series and an 80 % increase in shipments from Mexico, where Apple climbed to third place with a 16 % market share.

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The Omdia report notes a shortage and rising cost of memory components, which has reduced the supply of affordable smartphones. The analyst also points out that the top five markets accounted for 73 % of all shipments in Q1 2026, underscoring the concentration of sales in Brazil and Mexico. Analysts expect these cost pressures to become more visible in retail prices from late Q2 onward, especially for devices priced below $300.

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• Total regional shipments: 34.8 million units (?3 % YoY)

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• Samsung: 12.9 million units, 37 % share (lead)

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• Xiaomi: 6 million units, 17 % share

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• Motorola: 4.9 million units, 14 % share

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• HONOR: 3.4 million units, 10 % share

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• Apple: 1.8 million units, 5 % share (?31 % YoY) – 16 % share in Mexico (rank 3) and 5 % share in Brazil (rank 5)

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Apple’s higher-end product line is less exposed to the price-sensitive segment most affected by memory-cost inflation. The company’s resilience in the premium tier may offset broader market constraints, yet rising component costs could limit the introduction of lower-priced models, potentially narrowing Apple’s reach among price-sensitive consumers. Apple’s fifth-place ranking in Brazil (5 % share) and third-place standing in Mexico (16 % share) reflect the strong reception of the iPhone 17 series in those markets.

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Omdia analysts highlighted that the memory-component shortage has curtailed the availability of budget-friendly devices across Latin America. They also projected that upward pressure on component prices will translate into higher retail costs for sub-$300 smartphones later in the year. Within this environment, Apple’s focus on the premium iPhone 17 series has allowed it to capture growth despite overall market softness. Omdia also noted that the top five markets generated 73 % of regional shipments, making Brazil and Mexico pivotal for Apple’s performance in the Latin American segment.

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• “shortage and increase in the cost of memory components caused a reduction in the offer and availability of affordable devices,” — Miguel Ángel Pérez, Senior Analyst, Omdia

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• “an exceptional performance in Mexico (+80% YoY) and robust reception of the iPhone 17 series,” — Omdia

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• “Looking ahead, Omdia says rising memory costs are expected to become more visible in retail prices from late Q2 onward, particularly below the $300 mark.” — Omdia

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• “For Apple, that makes the higher-end resilience especially relevant, given that the iPhone largely competes above those more price-sensitive tiers.” — Omdia

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Omdia forecasts that memory-component price pressures will intensify in the second half of 2026, potentially reshaping pricing strategies for budget smartphones. Apple is likely to continue emphasizing its premium lineup while monitoring cost trends that could affect future market-share growth in Latin America.

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